Hughton: Hoolahan deserving of new deal

Hughton: Hoolahan deserving of new deal

Norwich manager Chris Hughton hailed the contribution of Wes Hoolahan after the Republic of Ireland playmaker celebrated signing a new contract with the winning goal in the 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Wigan at Carrow Road.

Published 16th December 2012

Wes Hoolahan celebrated a new deal with the winner for Norwich

The Canaries, knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Aston Villa here in midweek, made it five successive home league victories to continue their remarkable run of 10 Premier League matches unbeaten.

Hoolahan has agreed an extension to stay at the Norfolk club until 2015 and Hughton said: "Fortunately for us Wes has signed a new deal and he has earned it, and not just for this season. He was excellent today and to see Wes get a headed goal was worth the entrance fee alone."

He added: "Wes capped off a really good all-round team performance."

Norwich should have put the game beyond the visitors, who were again hampered by injuries, but were thwarted by a string of fine saves from the Latics stopper.

Hughton said: "We should really have been more than the one up at half-time and when they scored, then there was a concern. We made a bit of hard work for ourselves, but I thought over the 90 minutes we thoroughly deserved it."

The Latics job was not made any easier following an ankle injury to midfielder James McCarthy, who was replaced at half-time following a crunching tackle by Bradley Johnson.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hit out at the Canaries midfielder.

"It was a nasty challenge, one incident off the ball," the Spaniard said. "The referee has seen it and has given Johnson a yellow card. It is one of those actions you don't want to see. James McCarthy has been in good form, and they took him out of the game, which is very disappointing."

Martinez added: "It is his ankle ligaments, we will X-ray it and get the results from the scans very shortly, but I doubt if he will be available for the next 10 days."